Jose Mourinho trolls Dutch journalist, handing him a Europa Conference League keyring

Jose Mourinho handed a Dutch journalist a Europa Conference League keyring after Roma once again overcame Feyenoord in European competition.

Roma won their first European trophy in more than 60 years last season when they beat Feyenoord 1-0 in the inaugural Conference League final thanks to a Nicolo Zaniolo winner.

After the Dutch league leaders beat Roma 1-0 in Rotterdam last week, a journalist asked Mourinho how his side might look to overcome the odds and turn the tie around the following week in the Italian capital, making reference to last year’s final in Tirana. 

Mourinho responded in a typically brash manner, telling the journalist not to ‘cry’ about last year’s final defeat, before joking those connected with Feyenoord had not slept for 10 months without nightmares.

‘For the past 10 months you were crying. (Laughs). But you shouldn’t cry,’ he said after the first leg. ‘You know why, you cannot win the match that you lost. You lost a game, you cannot win that one.’

Jose Mourinho handed a Dutch journalist a keyring – capping a week of playful exchanges between the pair

Mourinho’s Roma and Feyenoord have developed something of a European rivalry after last season’s Conference League final and this year’s Europa League quarter-final

Having watched his side overcome Arne Slot’s team at the Stadio Olimpico in dramatic fashion, with Roma needing a late Paulo Dybala goal and extra time to triumph, Mourinho made a beeline for the same journalist in the post-match press conference.

‘I have a gift for you, but don’t cry for another 10 months because of it,’ he told the reporter. ‘You are winning the league, you are playing well, so don’t cry.’

To chuckles around the room, the reporter gratefully received the present before joking that he would ‘give it to the coach’, before quickly reverting back to his job, asking the Portuguese what the key factor was in Roma’s 4-1 victory on the night, 4-2 on aggregate.

Having not enjoyed much European pedigree in years gone by, Roma have been turned into a force to be reckoned with in the continent’s competitions, while they sit fourth in Serie A as they chase automatic Champions League qualification.

Speaking after Roma’s victory – and the pleasantries with the keyring had been taken care of – Mourinho praised his side’s character in overcoming a tough challenge.

‘The team played very well in a game that was difficult to play and manage at the same time,’ he said.

‘Dybala’s situation didn’t help in our preparations leading up to it, just as Wijnaldum’s injury doesn’t help manage the game because he eats up a substitution. To put Dybala in I knew I would have to have another substitution ready.”

Paulo Dybala scored on the stroke of 90 minutes to rescue Roma and send the game to extra-time

Roma’s victory was the second such hammer blow Feyenoord have suffered in 10 months against the same opponent

‘The lads managed the game well against a very good team, but we were superior,’ he added.

‘You can also understand why I have so much white hair. I’ve played 150 European matches, I’ve seen everything. I told the players that today would not be like against Salzburg or Bodo/Glimt. I told them that the 1-0 in the 90th minute would have been perfect either way.

‘I managed a complicated game with my staff. (Gini) Wijnaldum’s injury created problems for us. Overall, I’m really happy for the boys.’

Mourinho’s side face Bayer Leverkusen for a place in June’s Europa League final, where they could face Italian rivals Juventus, who play Sevilla in the other semi-final.